Tips for O Line Handlers

This post was inspired by a question on facebook from one of my fans. Let me know if you have any questions related to o-line handling.

Q: Hey bro,could you give me some pointers on how to be an O-Handler?

A: Sure thing! Here are some tips on being an O-line handler:

1. Your role as a handler is to move the disc up the field and score a point. What this means is that your biggest focus should be on valuing the disc. You cannot score if the other team has the disc. So, you should only be throwing high percentage throws (a 50% throw is not a high percentage). Think 75% or higher. Ideally you should be throwing to a cutter who is open, within the range of a throw you can consistently throw.

2. Support the other handlers. Although 10 seconds is a lot of time to make a decision as a handler, it’s also not a lot of time especially when it runs out. As a handler, one of your tasks is to support the other handlers so when they get stuck and don’t have a throw, you can be there to give them a reset to get a fresh 10 second stall count, get the disc moving and help you achieve #1, moving the disc up the field so you can score a point.

3. Don’t try brand new, crazy throws that you haven’t worked on. Unless you’re super stuck, you should only be throwing throws that you are comfortable with (for most players this is a forehand and backhand). If you start taking chances and throwing new throws that you’re not comfortable with, then you’ll hurt your team and you won’t get to play. Become that stable, consistent handler who doesn’t turn the disc over and you will be a very valuable part of your team’s offense.

4. If you have an upfield cutter open, throw it to them. Many new handlers are scared to throw upfield for fear of turning the disc over but this is an essential skill to being on the o line – by hitting the open cutters and advancing the disc upfield, your team will score more points with less throws, which is a good thing.

Maxime - More Surprising Findings from the World of Biomechanical Analysis!

Hey Melissa!
I understand the most of the explications on this page, but I didn't understand what's wrong with the hands shaking? I mean, this is really how beginners throw I remarked that one coaching cue I constantly heard about is "use your wrist when you flick the disc" or something like that.
And... You mean that we need to use the flipping the pie... I don't really understand well how to transfer it to a throwing mechanics... I mean... By your explanation I refer myself to the flick throw mechanics Rowan McDonnell show in one of his video. He take the disc, do an abduction with his forearm (at this moment, the disc is up ready to throw like an archer who is ready to shoot, and the forearm face down in a ~45 degrees), so his wrist is in a pronation position (the pie is going down) and when he throw he place his wrist in a supination to proantion position. I tried to figure out the entire throwing mechanics.
He explain here how to do this at home (to practice the motion) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49u9-IznjRc

Imagining Ultimate As A Major Sport - Ultimate Rob - How To Choose an Ultimate Frisbee Team

[…] people tend to think of ultimate frisbee as a fairly casual, everyday sport. We play in parks and pick our teams for recreational leagues, and some play in fairly competitive clubs and organizations in college. […]

David Fawcett - Frisbee: Beyond Catch and Throw

rotation around the z axis

Phong - Forehand Mechanics That Aren’t Taught

Ho Johnny and Rob, thanks for the extreme detailed about the forehand mechanics. Could you discuss the science behind the angle between the disc and forearm please? Why does it have to be 160 degree?